HIGH mileage 99 GSX - What to do?

[vr4gasmtt]

Okay, well my car is reaching 180k, its at 177 at the moment. The car drives VERY weak. I'm pretty sure it needs the turbo rebuilt, but what about the motor? I clueless about cars with high mileage, so how would I go about fixing the car.

I know many people say boost leak, I've finally done a boost leak, and there aren't any. Its the car, the clutch is pretty worn out, the clutch isn't slipping, but the engagement from the pedal is rediculously low, about a centimeter.

Also my car spools rediculously loud for a t25, with just a recirculated greddy type RS. Alot louder than before. I haven't done any other modifications to the car at all, So I don't know why it's spooling so loud. My car just has rev harder now to get going, like usually I'd shift at 2.5k and now I see myself having to rev at 3k. The boost also doesn't feel that great anymore, feels like regular driving to me.

I try not to boost as I need the car to last longer, becuase I'm broke at the moment, but I sometimes have to because traffic behind me, and me driving too slow. My car use to never be like this, but its just gotten worse.

I don't know what I should do, the cars body/interior is next to perfect and look brand new, but the motor.. WAY too many miles. Shifting is a b**ch in the car also, when its cold it shifts nice, ( has shifter bearings) but when it warms up, not only is the gears notchy as hell but it shifts like theres no tranny fluid in the car.

My quesitons are kind of broad, but what should I do to get the car running up and healthy. I'm thinking of jsut selling the car, and getting a 240sx. If I were to sell the GSX how much should I sell it for? Its a 99 Eclipse GSX, w/ 180k on it, 5 speed. Black interior, everything is stock besides greddy type RS BOV and an HKS turbo timer. 85% thread left?

I might just sell the GSX if it cost too much to fix the GSX.

Also another question, my boost gauge, currently when I'm reaching full boost says 15psi, the gauce is off by 1 psi so around 14psi. Does that sound right to you guys? I thought I'd be running at 11 psi or something.

by the way, I've owned the car for 6 months if that helps.

Let me know,
Thanks in advance.

 

[blkwidow]

Well there are several things you can do. Do a compression check to see what state your motor is in. Check the turbo for shaft play. Try a leak down test. Check your master and slave cylinders for your clutch situation. When was the last time the tranny fluid has been replaced? Sounds like it might need some work, but hey at least it's running!!!

 

[PieEyedPiper]

When was general maintenance last performed?
Regardless of when its safe to say it needs a little bit of everything at that mileage.

-compression test (on a warm motor, throttle all the way down, with the plug for your injectors unplugged)
-oil change
-tranny fluid change
-transfer case fluid change
-rear differential fluid change
-new spark plugs (ngk 6bpres)
-new spark plug wires
-adjust clutch assembly to allow for higher engagment
-do another boost leak test cause I know you have leaks
-checking all belts for wear and possibley replace them

Anyways these are good places to start. Please post back with your results fo your boost leak test ("no leaks" will not cut it) and your compression test.
good luck

 

[vr4gasmtt]

I've done a compression test before and cylinders 2 and 4 or i think it was 1 and 3 came back low, pretty shure it was 2 and 4, or i think 2 and 3, not sure, but the vfaq said somehting like it was the o rings were shot. Anywyas, the car drove pretty godo then, so I didn't really do much to fix it, and I also post on dsmtuners about it and nobody really gave me any advice besides to do another "wet test", which still gave me the same result.

I just changed the oil 2 days ago,
as for the tranny fluid, transfer case, rear differential, are they all the same fluid?

the spark plugs are about 6 months old.

As for the clutch I've had it adjusted before so it was higher, but it got really low. My friends GST is basically hte same as mine, really low, if I adjust it higher wouldn't it be the same thing? its only take like a centimeter to engage. Also there feels like there not much pressure in the clutch as before.


How do I check the master and slave cylinders? I know the vfaq gives info on how to replace stuff, but to tell what the condition is they don't really cover that. How am I supposed to know if soemthing is in good condition or not?

What tranny fluid should i be using to, I've done research on pennzoil synchromesh, and gotten results that it made the car shift worse and etc... so what am I supposed to use, ebcuase hte threads I searched had mixed results.

thanks for the replies to guys, greatly appreciate it

 

[1990talon]

shure= sure
hte= the
godo= good
ebcuase= because
anywyas= anyways
soemthing= something

Here is the correct spelling mabey later a lesson in grammar!

 

[playitlouddsm]

How about you give us compression numbers, that would help out. Rather then just saying they came back low. With almost 180k on the clock its probably time for a rebuild.

 

[vr4gasmtt]

170 for both 1 and 3 and 130 for 2 and 4,

Sorry for the grammer errors, I was in a hurry.

What do I need to do for a rebuild?

 

[1990talon]

That is ok I guess I know how that is I am at work and try and hurry up to finish what I am typing like right now.

Good luck

 

[Defiant]

shure= sure
hte= the
godo= good
ebcuase= because
anywyas= anyways
soemthing= something

Here is the correct spelling mabey later a lesson in grammar!

mabey= maybe

 

[turboAWDfanatic]

Here's some really good info from Road/Race about clutch stuff. scroll down to "more other stuff" for slave cyl check. Give this entire page a good read through. Should help you w/ your clutch issues/questions.

 

[cotsi95]

Kbb lists it at 6,350 for private party value...thats for good condition

 

[deadly-app]

with the 130 compression in those two cylinders it sounds like you're losing a lot of power.

those numbers indicate that your engine needs a rebuild.

If you don't have the money for a rebuild at this point in time, I suggest that you start saving. It'll run fine, but it'll be sluggish and most likely cause more problems down the line.

 

[vr4gasmtt]

What exactly is in a rebuild? Is there rebuild kits out there? Is it just the headgasket and stuff?

Sorry for such noob questions, but this is my first car.

 

[1gjosh]

rebuild kit usually comes with all gaskets, pistons, rings, oil pump and water pump, bearings, timing belt. etc etc. topline rebuild kits are pretty good if your looking for stock specs. try slowboyracing.com

 

[Red97Eclipseboy]

Sounds to me like a motor rebuild is your answer. But not if you plan on selling it. It wouldn't be cheap, if you love your car, it'll be worth it. New bearings, rings, gaskets, ect. A head refresher, oil pump, water pump, timing belt, timing tensioner, pullies, etc. And of course, a new turbo!

Edit: I had a Topline oil pump and it blew my bottom-end after 3000 miles. Please go OEM.